On Thursday, February 27th, the Little Hoover Commission conducted the first of several hearings on electricity costs. At the hearing, Severin Borenstein from UC Berkeley and Matthew Freedman from The Utility Reform Network were joined by RCRC’s John Kennedy and Leigh Kammerich to discuss the state’s rising energy costs, the factors influencing those increases, and a range of potential legislative and regulatory solutions…
RCRC is co-sponsoring Assembly Bill 993, authored by Assembly Member Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) with the California Association of Environmental Health Administrators (on behalf of the CUPA Forum). This measure would expand eligibility for…
On Monday, Governor Newsom announced accountability measures for local jurisdictions to demonstrate results to continue receiving state homelessness funding…
On Friday, February 21st, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held an all-day workshop to consider changes to existing policies regarding the safety and reliability of electrical distribution systems. Factors such as…
On February 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed their budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) by a vote of 217-215. This step will allow the reconciliation process to begin, a legislative procedure that only requires simple majorities from both chambers to enact legislation…
On February 25, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, and all Committee Democrats in a letter asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for detail about recent mass layoffs…
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
RCRC Affiliate | RAI
The Rural Advancement Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established to facilitate education and research on issues impacting rural California. Visit RAI’s website to learn more about the work and how it addresses rural challenges and opportunities.
RCRC Affiliate | GSCA
GSCA successfully completed work across all 37 Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grants, serving…
Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of rural county importance.
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Kevin Alto, of McKinleyville, has been appointed to the 9th District Agricultural Association Redwood Acres Fair Board. Alto has been President of Kevin Alto Equipment since 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Alto is a Republican.
Elizabeth Lincoln, of Kelseyville, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association Lake County Fair Board. Lincoln has been the Economic Development Director for the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians since 2015 and Owner of Indigenous Management Services since 2012. She was a Grant Writer for the Colusa Indian Community from 2009 to 2014. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Park Resource Management and Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources from Kansas State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Lincoln is a Democrat.
Aaron Maguire, of Roseville, has been appointed Executive Officer of the Board of State and Community Corrections, where he has been Acting Executive Officer at the Board of State and Community Corrections since 2024, and was previously Chief Deputy Director and General Counsel from 2022 to 2024, and General Counsel from 2016 to 2022. Maguire was Owner and Managing Partner at Maguire & Pank from 2014 to 2016. He was General Counsel and Legislative Representative at Warner & Pank, LLC from 2012 to 2016. Maguire was Assistant Secretary of Legislation at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2012. He was a Deputy Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Brown from 2011 to 2012. Maguire was a Deputy Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Schwarzenegger from 2009 to 2010. He was Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the California Attorney General from 2001 to 2009. Maguire earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of California, San Diego. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $219,156. Maguire is a Democrat.
Emily Schoeder, of Dixon, has been appointed to the 36th District Agricultural Association Dixon May Board. She has been a Legislative Assistant for the California Hospital Association since 2019. She was an Office Assistant at Capitol Partners from 2015 to 2018. She is a board member of the Friends of the Crisis Nurseries, an auxiliary of the Sacramento Children’s Home. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Schroeder has no party preference.
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.
Financial credits to owners of rooftop solar panels that generate more power than the home needs can greatly lower electric bills. But as more people have been motivated to install the panels, it has cut into utility sales of electricity.
For the first time in more than 80 years, Chinook salmon are swimming in the North Yuba River in Northern California thanks to an innovative wildlife program.
Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, says he will look at information provided by State Farm before revisiting his previous decision to reject the company’s emergency rate hike.
Each year, legislation aimed at better wildfire mitigation fails – often due to cost or conflict with environmental regulations.
Information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties. This report updates in real time.
For a full list of RCRC-tracked legislation, by issue area, use our Legislative Tracking Tool.
